• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

TR4/4A new battery for '62 tr4

TR4CB

Member
Offline
I'm replacing the battery in my '62 tr4. Should I give any consideration to one battery over another? Thank you for any help. CB
 
here's a dumb follow up question. Mine is a positive ground system, can I use any 12v battery or is there a specific battery for positive grounds? Thanks.
 
Im sure someone will chime in with more info, But you can use any battery as long as you hook it up properly. That being said I have no idea what CCA's are needed for your TR4.
Good luck and welcome!
 
thanks, Ive got a douglas omni 1000 group 34/78 in there now thats only showing 10.4 volts. I dont get a peep when I turn the key and I see some corrosion on the sides of the battery, I assume its a gonner.
 
HI TR4CB, Did you try a very slow recharge of the battery.??---Keoke
 
Hi,

Besides charging up the battery, check your wiring and connections are all good and free of any corrosion. The current battery might be fine, just not getting charged.

Since it's the original positive ground setup, I'm assuming you have the orginal generator in the car. Those don't put out a lot of juice, so some folks like to use an Optima battery (or similar design from another manufaturer). That type of battery charges easily and holds up well.
 
CB, since you are still pos groundyou must have a generator. Dont pay any attention to what a parts store wants to sell you, get the biggest baddest boy that will fit. Lucas gens are great at slow charging but a battery of smaller size will draw more amps and work the poor old bugger to death(in my experience). The avg gen can make 15 amps (reliably) for a fairly short time only then it heats up and dies....
You should also consider at this time converting to neg ground its very simple to do ...
MD(mad dog)
 
I put a slow charge on the battery, shows 12.8volts but after the first weak crank the voltage on the battery drops down to 10.4. Should I assume the battery is just gone?
 
It sounds like it is a dead duck. Essentially, you are performing a load test on the battery, and it fails.
I've been very happy with DEKA batteries over the past few years, and that's all I run.
Incidentally, they are standard equipment on Harley's, and Freightliner trucks.
They also make a glass mat battery very similar to an Optima.
Jeff
 
I recently replaced my battery with a WalMart item -- EverStart 720ca 600cca size 24-3N. Mainly because I was 500 miles from home when the need arose. $40 -- I remove the usual labels and replace w/ faux Lucas labels so it doesn't look quite so out of place in there.

I've have heard (not read) that WalMart batteries got good marks in recent Consumer Reports review... though I have always thought batteries are just batteries and the relevant numbers are amps and bucks.

MVC-757F.JPG
 
Well it might be an odd occrance, but several years ago I put a Wal-Mart battery in my truck and it split open and spilled acid on the inner fender. Luckily it was just over one year old, but they gve me a full refund and I bought another brand. BUT, I am now rebuilding the engine in the truck after sitting three years, and where the acid spilled before it is rusting out the battery tray from the inside out. I'm not very happy and will never buy another Wal-Mart battery. Just my opinion.
 
Back
Top